Are UV sterilizers worth it?

[NeedAReef]

I run a small one in my QT.. It's extra flow and helps keep things in check in a system that needs things in check. It's on a timer and comes on and off a few times a day.... Kinda better than a wave maker in the QT for me. Others results may vary

 

[Gundy]

Yes I do use uv helps with water clarity, bacteria blooms and some strains of dinos I try and run it 12 hours on 12 hours off.

Do yourself a favor and run it 24/7. Algae multiply quickly and I believe I read some can multiply every 20 minutes. Almost everyone runs their UV all the time and you will better water clarity and less chance of an algae bloom.

 

[DE FISH]

I don’t like to go complete nuclear it all depends on wether I remember to unplug it or not so the majority of the time it is on lol

 

[fishybizzness]

I'm definitely a believer in the effectiveness of uv. I have watched several interviews with the owner of aqua biomics and what got me is the way he repeatedly says that he really doesn't know what his test results mean and what effects, either positive or negative, that having either high biodiversity or lower biodiversity has within the aquarium environment. The reality is that no one knows. Every tank is different and the creatures within have a way of adapting. There are too many super successful aquariums and coral propagation companies running uv for it to be very detrimental. Just my 10 cents.

 

[Roscovitch]

I'm definitely a believer in the effectiveness of uv. I have watched several interviews with the owner of aqua biomics and what got me is the way he repeatedly says that he really doesn't know what his test results mean and what effects, either positive or negative, that having either high biodiversity or lower biodiversity has within the aquarium environment. The reality is that no one knows. Every tank is different and the creatures within have a way of adapting. There are too many super successful aquariums and coral propagation companies running uv for it to be very detrimental. Just my 10 cents.

Agree entirely. On the advice of another poster I watched the entire piece and to be completely honest there was not one iota of anything useful being said you could implement in a reef aquarium environment unless he could claim that this biotope was more beneficial than that biotope. And if you have the wrong biotope: here’s what you do to get the right one. UV has been used in public aquaria and mariculture for years. If you come away from that video thinking UV is somehow bad because it removes microbes from the water column you may as well set about you’re skimmer with a hammer and turn off your Kessil.

 

[DE FISH]

A uv will 100% increase skimmer output

 

[schooncw]

Having been in the hobby for my entire life and in the aquatic industry at the sales and distribution level, I will say that I personally know many "experts" in the field that discourage UV usage, "just because" and they do feel that it is an overall detriment to the system.
To watch the entire video and not find "one iota" of anything useful being said is surprising to me.

 

[adittam]

I find these discussions so amusing. Everyone here is an expert based on their anecdotal evidence. Why haven't there been actual scientific studies with proper sample sizes and controls on UV usage as it relates to algae/dino control or parasite control? Or have there, @Jay Hemdal?

 

[Malcontent]

I find these discussions so amusing. Everyone here is an expert based on their anecdotal evidence. Why haven't there been actual scientific studies with proper sample sizes and controls on UV usage as it relates to algae/dino control or parasite control? Or have there, @Jay Hemdal?

Ultraviolet light and ozone controls Cryptocaryon irritans infection in factory aquaculture

Cryptocaryon irritans is a pathogenic ectoparasitic ciliate that infects marine teleosts, causing massive mortality and economic losses in aquaculture…

www.sciencedirect.com

 

[adittam]

Ultraviolet light and ozone controls Cryptocaryon irritans infection in factory aquaculture

Cryptocaryon irritans is a pathogenic ectoparasitic ciliate that infects marine teleosts, causing massive mortality and economic losses in aquaculture…

www.sciencedirect.com

Interesting, and good. I've never seen this cited before, so thank you!

 

[Roscovitch]

Having been in the hobby for my entire life and in the aquatic industry at the sales and distribution level, I will say that I personally know many "experts" in the field that discourage UV usage, "just because" and they do feel that it is an overall detriment to the system.
To watch the entire video and not find "one iota" of anything useful being said is surprising Me.

Having been in the hobby for my entire life and in the aquatic industry at the sales and distribution level, I will say that I personally know many "experts" in the field that discourage UV usage, "just because" and they do feel that it is an overall detriment to the system.
To watch the entire video and not find "one iota" of anything useful being said is surprising to me.

Not one iota of anything useful I could apply to an enclosed system. Unless I’m missing something? If anyone can tell me what would be I’m more than ready to listen.

 

[Roscovitch]

Ultraviolet light and ozone controls Cryptocaryon irritans infection in factory aquaculture

Cryptocaryon irritans is a pathogenic ectoparasitic ciliate that infects marine teleosts, causing massive mortality and economic losses in aquaculture…

www.sciencedirect.com

You have to buy the PDF of this report.

 

[danny_corals]

I love mine

 

[maroun.c]

From my experience they're very worth it but some considerations need to be made to get the real benefit.
Get a quality UV, pricey yes but more efficient. The quartz insert alone that separates uv from water alone is well worth the price and makes a ton of difference between cheapo and quality units.
Bulb can always be replaced by a brand one but u can't change the quartz insert.
Flow rate, most uv ratings are for algae or bacterial blooms yet to cure disease a much lower flow rate abd wattage is needed. Few units mention both ratings.
I had multiple finicky fish arrive and go through qt and even through a six months observation period in a separate tank for an achiles only to get ich and die 12 days after being in my tank. None of the fish I added after adding 3 large UVs ever had ich..axhiles gets a few spots every few weeks but nothing I worry about and frequency is decreasing which means it is heading towards disease elimination.
Real concern is velvet and while UV won't cure it, it will give fish a fighting chance if velvet goes through quarantine somehow and it sometimes does.

 

[Projects with Sam]

Agreed. With two (little biologist) kids running about I'd have to be maniacal to enforce the stringent protocols for complete QT coverage. Accidents happen and when they do ("not that net!") its nice to know there is something that can help out in a pinch.

 

[adpuls34]

I've never used UV sterilizers because of the fear that they would be detrimental to my pod population, but lately I'm wondering if the pros out weigh the cons. So, talk me into it. Should I use a UV sterilizer on my next tank?

I have an aqua advantage UV sterilizer hang on version. It completely took care of my dino outbreak, manages algae well, and clears up the water. I swear by and run it most of the time. When I want to turn it off, I just turn off the light. Super easy and definitely worth it.!

 

[schooncw]

Not one iota of anything useful I could apply to an enclosed system. Unless I’m missing something? If anyone can tell me what would be I’m more than ready to listen.

We must have listened to a completely different interview.

 

[Roscovitch]

We must have listened to a completely different interview.

Then surely you will be able to tell me at least one thing he said which could be applied to any reef closed system. I’ll wait.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Ultraviolet light and ozone controls Cryptocaryon irritans infection in factory aquaculture

Cryptocaryon irritans is a pathogenic ectoparasitic ciliate that infects marine teleosts, causing massive mortality and economic losses in aquaculture…

www.sciencedirect.com

Any way to get the full text without purchasing it from Science Direct? I would want to read the methods section. My guess is that they are using UV as a full flow system. Spotte has already described that with the proper dose, that achieves 100% kill rate for theronts. It is the side stream use, with higher dwell times that need to be studied in more complete detail.

Jay

p.s. - I just sent an email to our conservation science department to see if any of them can get me subsidized access to this...

 

[happyhourhero]

I’ve had mine running for the last 11 months on my lagoon. I just pulled it out. Wonder what will happen to my system now?